Law of Armed Conflict (LOAC)
600 Articles

Principles for a 2021 Authorization for Use of Military Force
The Biden administration and new Congress have an opportunity to fundamentally rethink the congressional authorization of military force against terrorist groups. Here are seven…

Protecting the Information Space in Times of Armed Conflict
What, if any, limits exist concerning digital information operations in armed conflict? Does the humanitarian legal framework adequately capture the protection needs that arise…

Sri Lanka’s Evasion of Accountability Tests the Limits of the International Human Rights System
Twelve years of failed justice must trigger an honest debate on the ability of these mechanisms to prevent violations and deal with historical atrocities.

Universal Jurisdiction — the Most Difficult Path to Achieve Justice for Sri Lanka
The record shows that, if this is the only feasible route to accountability for now, countries will require additional support at the UN level to achieve accountability.

Emblematic Cases Expose the Long Road to Justice in Sri Lanka
For more than a decade, in one atrocity case after another, justice is delayed, denied, or even reversed, as the government pursues impunity.

Tamils – and Justice – Can’t Wait: The Need for Decisive UN Action on Sri Lanka
The credibility of the Human Rights Council and the UN system, given its “grave failure” in the past, depends on accountability for Sri Lanka’s atrocities.

US Can Restore Leadership on Human Rights by Promoting Accountability in Sri Lanka
The Biden administration should press the UN Human Rights Council for action and impose its own measures, including further sanctions.

Women, Peace, and Security: Is DOD Turning a Human Rights Corner?
The push to protect women and girls in conflict and involve women in security decision-making increases attention to human rights in military operations.

To End the Forever Wars, Rein in the Drones
In drawing down the U.S. conventional military footprint, policymakers should resist relying reflexively on drone strikes in its place. Biden has a unique opportunity to chart…

Former UN High Commissioner Pillay Says It’s Time for the Human Rights Council to Act on Sri Lanka
She notes the Sri Lankan government has made clear that it has no intention of pursuing accountability for atrocities committed during the civil war.

The Human Rights Council Must Establish an Accountability Mechanism for Sri Lanka’s Victims
The record is abundantly clear that the country’s domestic mechanisms lack effectiveness and credibility. This is a gap that the UN uniquely can fill.

Avoiding Collateral Damage on the Battlefield
What are the rules on avoiding harm to civilians in armed conflict and how are they applied in an operational context? A detailed explainer on the processes, technologies, and…